After the government declared the ban on Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes, long serpentine queues outside banks and ATMs don’t seem to end. While people are exhausted in these long lines to get new currency notes, a resident of Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh waited for his turn to submit small denomination currency notes.

Shivkumar, a resident of Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh waited in the long queue outside Punjab National Bank situated at Delhi Road, Saharanpur, where he has an account. When it was his turn at the cash counter, he deposited Rs 3000 in small currency notes. At a time when many banks are facing the shortage of small denomination currency notes, and bankers are under a lot of stress to ensure all the transactions are processed as fast as possible, this gesture was unexpected and surprising. The cashier very understandably gave Shivkumar a standing ovation. The manager too appreciated this deed and helped Shivkumar fill the form in his chamber.

“I saw the news on television that there is a scarcity of money in bank. We had Rs 6000 in the small denomination. We left enough money at home to sustain us for three months. I came to deposit the change here. I have kept half amount of Rs 3000 with my family and came to deposit the rest of the money at the bank so that it reaches the person who needs it. By the time I will need money, I am sure the situation will be fine, and I will be able to withdraw from my account” says Shivkumar as reported by Dainik Jagran.

The Logical Indian appreciates the gesture shown by Mr Shivkumar. This altruistic act shows that there are always people who believe in being the silver lining over a dark cloud.

Partner Story

An Army Colonel Is Changing Lives Of Thousand Of People From North-East Using White Bullets

Retiring after spending 32 years in the Indian Army, Col Chris Rego is helping change the destinies of hundreds of children in conflict-affected North East India through his “White Bullets” initiative. With this initiative, he hopes to bring peace and progress to communities across North East India.

Luminouswanted to bring out the Colonel’s story to the world to inspire and motivate others as it believes that education is a strong tool to empower women. It is supporting Col Rego’s cause through an initiative called #Luminaries – the brave people who stand up for causes like girl child education and make a difference in the society.

Col Rego’s journey started over a decade ago in Manipur when a tribal woman knocked on his door pleading for support for her daughter’s education. Touched by the woman’s story, Col Rego and his wife delved into their savings and arranged for the money for the girl’s education. Two years down the line, the woman returned, this time with a small pumpkin and a shawl that she had knitted, and all the money she had borrowed. Moved and realizing that their money could make lives rather than earn paltry interest, Col and Mrs. Rego embarked on a journey to arrange for sponsorship of many more underprivileged children.

Retiring from the Army, Col Rego took over as CEO of Sunbird Trust, a not-for-profit organization which he founded in 2014. The Trust now sponsor over 1,000 children in 21 locations acrossNorth East India. The centre of Sunbird Trust’s activities is at beautiful Ijeirong, Manipur.

Recognizing Col Chris’s immense work, Luminousacknowledged him as their first Luminary. Through this, they hope to bring more power to his elbow in the notable work he is doing. The Luminousteam travelled to remote Ijeirong village and installed solar products. These solar products will help in providing power to the entire campus 24/7 for the very first time.

The Logical Indian salutes Col Christopher Rego for his untiring efforts and leadership. His efforts are already having a cascading effect on people from across India joining the “White Bullets” endeavour. Quite amazingly, education, in itself so empowering, is merely a means to PEACE. We hope the path illuminated by #Luminary Col Rego and his Sunbird Trust team acts as a beacon for others to follow.

If you too have stories of change, share them with us. And if you want to connect with Colonel Rego, click here.